Getting around the city

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Getting around the city

Whether you’re commuting to school or just going out with friends to explore this great city, there’s a lot of ways to get out and about. St. John’s has all the transportation options you need to get you to your destination.

If you’re walking to and from school, please take care at busy intersections and be sure to use crosswalks wherever possible. Areas around Memorial University and the College of the North Atlantic in particular experience very high traffic volumes, so be especially cautious.

Drivers must yield the right of way to pedestrians, but you should make sure that they see you and have stopped their vehicle before you cross the street.

St. John’s has a fantastic trail system that connects many neighbourhoods, parks, and facilities. Check out the Grand Concourse.

Metrobus operates the city’s public transit system, and directly services Memorial University, the Marine Institute, and the College of the North Atlantic. Most other colleges are located on or near bus routes.

A single cash Metrobus fare is $2.50 and exact change is required. Semester passes and multi-ride M-Cards can be purchased.

You can ride Metrobus and surf the internet at the same time. Many buses offer free WiFi.

Some Metrobus routes offer fully accessible buses.

You can Rack and Ride from May 1 to October 31 when all Metrobuses offer bicycle racks.

GoBus Accessible Transit is the St. John's area para-transit system. It operates within the municipalities of St. Johns and Mount Pearl. GoBus must be booked in advance. Fares may be paid by cash ($2.50 single fare), tickets (purchased in books of 10), or with a reloadable GoCard.

Streets in St. John's do not follow a grid plan as is common in many larger cities. That means intersections can meet at 'interesting' angles and caution is the name of the game.

City owned parking meters are common, especially in the downtown, and are generally in effect from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday to Friday. City owned parking meters take cash, credit cards, or you can use a Park Card. Park Cards can be purchased at St. John's City Hall (10 New Gower Street). Please remember that parking meters located on campus at Memorial University and the Marine Institute are not City owned and therefore have different rules of operation.

PaybyPhone is available for parking meters located on Harbour Drive. For those who do not want to download the app, the toll-free number to call is 1-866-234-7275.

Some residential areas in the downtown require parking permits for on-street parking.